Classical Studies

Entry requirements

First or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject.

Months of entry

January, October

Course content

The MA by Research in Classical Studies provides a supportive academic environment in which to conduct in-depth postgraduate study for one year, offering interested students research opportunities in ancient Greek and Roman history and Greek and Latin languages, literatures, and cultures.

It is designed to prepare students to embark on further study at the doctoral level, as well as for careers in teaching, the heritage sector, and the civil service, amongst many other fields.

Research students can benefit from a broad range of expertise offered by our Classical Studies staff, across both local and global contexts, including in Lincoln itself, Britain, Iberia, the Mediterranean world, and the ancient Near East.

The core of the programme is a thesis project, for which you will submit a proposal at the application stage and identify two supervisors. Due to the nature of postgraduate research, a significant amount of time will be spent in independent study. Full-time students currently meet with their academic supervisors once a month and part-time students every other month.

You can expect to be guided throughout your thesis by expert and well-published supervisors, from whom you will receive feedback and advice. Your MA by Research project might cross disciplinary boundaries and focus on multiple subject areas and in such cases, we will endeavour to support you through the allocation of supervisors in relevant fields.

The School of History and Heritage promotes the development of a stimulating research environment within which our postgraduate community plays a central role. Initiatives such as research seminars with internal speakers and visiting academics, and staff-student reading groups, aim to foster cross-disciplinary debates and collaboration, as well as providing opportunities for career development.

Department specialisms

Research students will benefit from a broad range of research expertise offered by our Classical Studies staff, across both local and global contexts, including in Lincoln itself, Britain, Iberia, the Mediterranean world, and the ancient Near East. Our interests include: Greek and Roman Historiography Alexander the Great Hellenistic History Roman London The Fall of the Roman Empire in the West Language and Literacy in the Western Mediterranean Gender and Women’s History Cross-Cultural Contacts and Exchanges More broadly, the School of History and Heritage brings together academics, archivists, librarians, postgraduate students, and researchers with interdisciplinary interests in both Ancient History/Classics and the subsequent interpretation and representation of the Classical past. We also have a strong relationship with the wider scholarly and professional community. We foster academic links within and beyond the University of Lincoln through welcoming external speakers, hosting international conferences, and contributing to national and international research networks and projects.

Information for international students

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.

Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/ . These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.

Fees and funding

For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, you can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.